JAZA urges foreign investors to capitalize on Philippines growth trajectory

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala has called on foreign investors to take advantage of the Philippines’ growth momentum, citing the country’s resilience amid a volatile global environment.

In his keynote address as co-chair of the US-Philippines Society at a board meeting last week, Zobel said the Philippines remains one of the most promising economies in Asia despite global volatility.

He said the Philippines’ strength is supported by its strong macroeconomic fundamentals as well as a young and fast-growing population.

“We in the Philippine business community remain hopeful at the country’s prospects for growth, which have not dimmed despite a volatile global environment,” Zobel said.

As such, Zobel urged foreign investors, particularly those from the United States, to capitalize on the Philippines’ growth trajectory.

“The country is certainly ready to accept high levels of partnerships and investments from our friends around the region, most especially the United States,” he said.

“A consistent six-percent growth is certainly a respectable achievement, but imagine what more can be achieved if we hit a continuous growth rate of eight percent or more over a sustained period, which economists feel is possible if we align the government and private sectors,” Zobel said.

Zobel said that Ayala has actively invested in several high-growth areas to support the country’s transformation.

Ayala, the country’s oldest conglomerate and one of the largest locally, has investments spanning sectors that are pivotal to economic expansion, including real estate, banking, telecommunications, energy, health care and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Through ACEN, Ayala has become a leading player in the region’s clean energy transition.

As a renewable energy company, ACEN has been capturing several opportunities locally and in the Asian region focusing heavily on solar, wind and battery power.

Ayala, through Globe Telecom, is likewise investing in digital infrastructure to support the growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence-driven industries.

These investments in digital infrastructure also supports the Philippines position in becoming a major data center hub in Southeast Asia.

Recognizing the need for stronger human capital, Ayala’s health care and education ventures, AC Health and iPeople are working to improve access to quality medical services and learning institutions.

The US-Philippines Society convened in Manila last Feb. 10 and 11 to provide a platform for business leaders and policymakers to discuss deepening economic ties, with a shared commitment to fostering greater investment and cooperation between the two nations.

The board meeting marked the first private sector-led dialogue on US-Philippines engagement since the transition in Washington.

The US-Philippines Society recognizes the effective diplomatic leadership of Ambassadors Jose Manuel Romualdez and MaryKay Carlson during this transitional period in Washington and sees bilateral relations strengthening in the period ahead.

Headquartered in Washington and launched in 2012, the US–Philippines Society is committed to working with official and private sector partners to advance mutual understanding and shared interests.